Servicing device for handling a circuit-interrupting assembly



Oct. 31, 1961 T. o. PRUNTY ET AL 3, 21

SERVICING DEVICE FOR HANDLING A CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTING ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9. 1959 mm mm INVENTORS We 3 h Oct. 31, 1961 T. o. PRUNTY ET AL 3,007, 2

v SERVICING DEVICE FOR HANDLING A CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTING ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 9. 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1961 T. o. PRUNTY ET AL ,0 21

SERVICING DEVICE FOR HANDLING A CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTING ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 9, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1.: new

3 007,021 SERVICING DEViCE FOR HANDLING A CHQCUIT-IN'IERRUPTING ASSEMBLY Thomas O. Prnnty, Monroeville, and Robert G. Colclaser,

This invention relates to a mono-rail device for handling a circuit-interrupting assembly, and more particularly to improved constructional features for such a mono-rail servicing device.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved mono-rail device for handling the interrupting assembly of a circuit interrupter so that a minimum of manpower need be provided to properly handle the device.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved two part mono-rail device, which is inexpensive, light to handle, and is highly efiicient in effecting the removal of a circuit-interrupting assemblage from an enclosing tank, or inserting the circuitinterrupting assemblage into the enclosing tank for operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mono-rail device, of two-part construction, for handling a circuit-interrupting assemblage, in which one of the parts is provided with lifting lugs for facilitating handling and maintenance operations upon the circuit-interrupting assemblage following its withdrawal from the circuit-interrupting tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide simplified and improved constructional features for such a mono-rail device whereby proper handling of the circuit-interrupting assemblage may be obtained without the danger of the assemblage slipping off of the monorail device.

In United States patent application filed January 23, 1959, Serial No. 788,668 by Russell N. Yeckley, Joseph Sucha and Benjamin P. Baker and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, there is disclosed and described an improved dual-pressure, compressedgas, three-pole circuit-interrupting assemblage, involving three horizontally extending metallic tanks, into each of which "vertically projects a pair of line-terminal bushings. Disposed axially within each of the horizontally extending metallic tank structures is a relatively heavy circuit-interrupting assemblage, the insertion of which into the tank and the withdrawal therefrom constitutes a maintenance problem, since the circuit-interrupting assemblage must be handled as a unit.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide an improved handling device for the circuit-interrupting assemblage of the aforesaid circuit interrupter, which will be light, easy to store, easy to bolt into position and adapted to particularly enable the lifting, and handling of the circuit-interrupting assemblage following its withdrawal from the enclosing tank,

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a three-pole circuit interrupter, with which the mono-rail handling device of the invention may be used;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the three tank housings, showing the disposition of the interiorly disposed arc-extinguishing assemblage, with the contact structure shown in the closed-circuit position;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view indicating the manner in which the two-part mono-rail handling device of the present invention is bolted into position, and illustrating how the circuit-interrupting assemblage may be withdrawn out of the tank structure;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view showing how the mono-rail device may be bolted into position, and taken generally along the line IVIV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, perspective, detailed view showing how the two-part mono-rail device may be positioned in end-to-end relationship;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, detailed view showing how a circuit-interrupting assemblage may be fixedly mounted into position upon the removable mono-rail part;

FIG. 7 is a sectional, detailed view showing how the supporting feet for the mono-rail device may be adjustably arranged; and,

FIG. 8 illustrates another sectional detailed view of a modified type of mounting feet, which may be used in place of the mounting feet illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a three-pole circuit interrupter, including three laterally spaced metallic grounded tanks 2, within each of which is disposed an arc-extinguishing assemblage 3, shown more clearly in FIG. 2 of the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, each tank 2 has upper mounting extensions 4, to the upper ends of which are clamped spaced lineterminal bushings, generally designated by the reference numeral 5. Line connections L and L, are atfixed to the upper extremities of the terminal bushings 5, as well known by those skilled in the art.

Secured to the end tank structure 2 is a mechanism housing compartment 6, within which may be disposed a suitable operating mechanism, which is required to effect simultaneous contact movement within each of the three tank structures 2.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the externally extending crank-arm 7 effects rotation of an operating shaft 8, which extends in a gas-tight manner into the interior of the tank structure 2. Disposed internally within the tank structure 2, and keyed to the operating shaft 8 is another crank-arm 9, which is pivotally connected, as at 10, to an insulating operating rod 11, the latter being employed to simultaneously effect contact opening movement and blast-valve operation.

Disposed interiorly within the tank structure 2 is a high-pressure reservoir chamber 13, a blast-valve mechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral 14, and three serially related arc-extinguishing units, designated by the reference numerals 15, 16 and 17. An arc is drawn within each of the three arc-extinguishing units, and is extinguished by a flow of compressed gas from the high-pressure tank 13 by actuation of the blast-valve mechanism 14. Blast tubes 18 and 19 are provided to conduct the high-pressure blast of gas to the separated contact structures.

The movable contact assemblage 20 generally comprises a pair of longitudinally extending insulating operating rods 21, which have bridging bars 22 extending therebetween. The rod-shaped movable contacts, not shOWn, are secured to the mid portions of the bridging bars 22, and move with the movable contact assemblage 20. The left-hand end bridging bar 22 is biased by an opening accelerating spring 23, which tends to bias the movable contact assemblage 24 in the opening direction, that is toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 2.

A suitable bumper 24 is provided to limit the leftward opening movement of the movable contact assemblage 20. The movable contact assemblage 20 is latched in the closed-circuit position by the latching device associated with the mechanism, disposed within the mechanism compartment 6 (FIG. 1). A high-pressure feed line 25 extends within the tank 2, and has an insulating tube extension 26 to conduct high-pressure gas into the highpressure tank reservoir 13.

Reference may be had to the aforesaid patent application for a detailed illustration, and description of the method of operation of the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. For the purpose of understanding the present invention, however, it is only necessary to know that within the tank structure 2 extends, longitudinally thereof, an arc-extinguishing assemblage 3, which has bracket portions 29, 30, which are bolted to the feet 3]., constituting the lower extremities of the terminal bushings 5. The terminal bushings 5 constitute a supporting means for supporting the arcextinguishing assemblage 3.

It is necessary to assemble the arc-extinguishing assemblage 3 as a unit, and to effect its insertion, and withdIHVVcl from the tank structure 2 as a unit. The present invention is particularly concerned with the provision of an elongated removal device or a mono-rail device 33, comprising an I-beam or other elongated track structure, preferably of two-part construction, the interior part 32 of which is bolted to the lower feet 31 of the terminal bushings 5 in a manner more clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The interior part 32 of the mono-rail device 33 is detachably adjusted in end-to-end relation with the external part 34 of the mono-rail device 33 in a manner more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawrngs.

With reference to FIG. 5, it will be noted that a perforated bracket 35 is welded, as at 36, to the left-hand extremity of the external part 34 of the mono-rail device 33.

The perforated bracket 35 matches with upstanding pins 37 secured to the right-hand end of the interior part 32, so that the two parts 32 and 34 are disposed in endto-end relation, as indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Rollers 33 are associated with the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3, adjacent opposite ends thereof, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawing. The rollers 38 are mounted upon brackets 29, 3b which are formed as a part of the casting structures of the circuit-interrupting as serrrblage 3.

With the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 in place, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the interior part 32 of the mono-rail device 33 is inserted between the bracket supports 40 (FIG. 4), which secure the casting structures 2?, 35) into position. To bolt the interior part 32 into position to the terminal-bushing feet 31, it will be necessary to remove both end cover plates 39 of the tank 2.

Following the bolting of the interior part 32 of the mono-rail device 33 into position, the outer external part 34 is positioned, as indicated in FIG. 3. The circuitinterrupting assemblage 3 may then be rolled out of the tank 2 along the mono-rail device 33 to an external position, as indicated in FIG. 3.

It will be noted that the external part 3% is provided with lifting lugs 43, which may be lifted by chains extending from a suitable crane.

To fixedly position the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 to the external part 34 of the mono-rail device 33, bolts 45 may extend through suitably provided apertures provided in the contact brackets 29, 30, and also through the web portion 46 of the I-beam mono-rail device 33, as indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

As mentioned, when the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 is fixed by the bolts 45, and is in the position illustrated in FIG. 3, a crane may effect handling of the external part 34 of the mono-rail device 33 and the attached circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 for servicing and maintenance operations.

The end feet 47 of the mono-rail device 33 may be adjustable, as indicated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. More particularly, each end foot 47 may include a two-part device, a lower foot portion 48 being perforated to receive a removable bolt 49, the upper end of the foot portion 48 sliding within a channel 50 provided in an upper foot portion 51. The upper ends of the two feet 47 may be Welded to an end plate 52, the latter being suitably secured to the end of the external part 34 of the mono-rail device 33. Rollers 54 may also be provided.

A modified end-foot construction is illustrated in FIG. 8. Here, again rollers 54 are provided at the lower end of legs 55, the upper ends of which are welded to a perforated support plate 56. The perforated support plate 56 may be adjustably secured to an end plate 57, likewise having holes, the plate 57 being welded to the end of the external part 34 of the mono-rail device 33.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that there is provided an improved mono-rail handling device 33 particularly adapted for the servicing of an interrupting assembly 3, which is preferably handled as a unit. Since the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 is periodically removed from the pole-unit for field inspection and maintenance, the employment of the present mono-rail device 33 results in rapid removal and insertion of the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3. Since the monorail device 33 is a two-part structure, the two parts thereof 32, 34 may be easily stored without taking up too much space. In addition, by having a two-part structure, each part is light in Weight, and only a single man is required for employing the device.

The two-section rail 33 may be formed of aluminum, and hence will be light to handle. The outside removable portion of the rail 34 may be an integral portion of the interrupter assemblage 3 during assembly, or shipping, greatly facilitating handling. The end support 47 for the two-section rail 33 is preferably adjustable, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, to allow for variations in height, and is more rigid. By employing the rollers 54, the device may enable a man to move the interrupter assembly 3 easily by a lift truck at one end and also obviates the necessity for crane facilities. The shortened length of the pieces 32, 34 allows one man to handle, install, or remove the mono-rail device 33. Maintenance time is reduced, since only one man is required per pole-unit. By the bolted construction illustrated in FIG. 6, there is no possibility of the circuit-interrupting assemblage 3 falling off of the rail 34.

Although there has been illustrated and described a particular mono-rail handling device, it is to be clearly understood that the same was merely for the purpose of illustration, and that changes and modifications may readily be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination, a circuit-interrupter tank structure having a pair of terminal bushings extending therein, the interior end of each terminal bushing having a foot support, a circuit-interrupting assemblage having rollers bridging the two feet support and clamped thereto for normal operation, a removable mono-rail l-beam handling device bolted to the terminabbushing feet support to accommodate said rollers for rolling the circuit-interrupting assemblage as a unit externally of the tank structure for maintenance operation, and said mono-rail I- beam handling device being removed for normal circuitinterrupter operation.

2. In combination, a two-part mono-rail handling device having an internal part and an external part, a longitudinally extending circuit-interrupter tank having a pair of terminal bushings extending downwardly thereinto, each terminal bushing having a lower mounting foot, a unitary removable arc-extinguishing assemblage bridging the terminal-bushing feet and clamped thereto, means for detachably bolting said internal part of the monorail handling device to the terminal-bushing mounting fee a d means for sliding the circuit-interrupting assemblage out of the tank onto the external part of the mono-rail handling device.

3. In combination, a two-part mono-rail handling device having an internal part and an external part, a longitudinally extending circuit-interrupter tank having a pair of terminal bushings extending downwardly thereinto, each terminal bushing having a lower mounting foot, a unitary removable arc-extinguishing assemblage having rollers bridging the terminal-bushing feet and clamped thereto, means for detachably bolting said internal part of the mono-rail handling device to the terminal-bushing mounting feet, and means for rolling the circuit-interrupting assemblage out of the tank onto the external part of the mono-rail handling device.

4. In combination, a two-part mono-rail handling device having an internal part and an external part with lifting lugs, a longitudinally extending circuit-interrupter tank having a pair of terminal bushings extending downwardly thereinto, each terminal bushing having a lower mounting foot, a unitary removable arc-extinguishing assemblage bridging the terminal-bushing feet and clamped thereto, means for detachably bolting said internal part of the mono-rail handling device to the terminal-bushing mounting feet, and means for sliding the circuit-interrupting assemblage out of the tank onto the external part of the mono-rail handling device.

5. In combination, a circuit-intermpter tank structure having a pair of terminal bushings extending therein, the interior end of each terminal bushing having a foot support, a circuit-interrupting assemblage having rollers bridging the two feet support and clamped thereto for normal operation, a removable mono-rail Lbeam handling device bolted to the terminal-bushing feet support to accommodate said rollers for rolling the circuit-interrupting assemblage as a unit externally of the tank structure [for maintenance operation, and end support feet for the mono-rail I-beam handling device.

6. In combination, a two-part mono-rail handling device having an internal part and an external part, a longitudinally extending circuit-interrupter tank having a pair of terminal bushings extending downwardly th-ereinto, each terminal bushing having a lower mounting foot, a unitary removable arc-extinguishing assemblage bridging the terminal-bushing feet and clamped thereto for support, means for detachably bolting said internal part of the mono-rail handling device to the terminal-bushing mounting feet, means for sliding the circuit-interrupting assemblage out of the tank onto the external part of the mono-rail handling device, and end feet for the external part of the mono-rail handling device.

7. In combination, a circuit-interrupter housing, terminal bushing supporting means for supporting an arc-extinguishing assemblage within said circuit-interrupter housing, an elongated removal device adapted to be removably secured to said terminal bushing supporting means during maintenance periods, the arc-extinguishing assemblage moving along the removal device to a position externally of the circuit interrupter housing, and the elongated removal device being removed during normal operation of the arc-extinguishing assemblage.

8. In combination, a circuit interrupter tank, an arcextinguishing assemblage, a pair of terminal bushings extending within said tan-k for supporting said arc-extinguishing assemblage, an elongated removal device adapted to be removably secured to the interior ends of said terminal bushings during maintenance periods, and the arc-extinguishing assemblage moving along the removal device being supported thereby to a position externally of the tank.

9. In combination, a grounded circuit-interrupter tank, an arc-extinguishing assemblage, a pair of terminal bushings extending within said grounded tank for supporting said arc-extinguishing assemblage, an elongated track removal device of metallic material adapted to be removably bolted to the interior ends of said terminal bushings during maintenance periods, and the arc-extinguishing as semblage, following unfastening from the terminal bushings, moving along the elongated track removal device and supported thereby to a position externally of the grounded tank. 

